Udaipur was called the most romantic spot in India by Colonel James Tod, the East India Company’s first political agent here. And it remains the same today with its old world charm, stunning palaces, bustling bazaars and serene boat rides on Lake Pichola. Towering over this lake is the mighty City Palace, which is an amalgamation of Rajasthani, Mughal and medieval architectures. With its exquisite gardens and ancient white walls, this palace draws travellers from all over. Located right in the middle of Lake Pichola is the Jag Mandir Palace, from where you can see the beautiful sunset reflected in the water.
If you have a thing for automobiles, the Vintage Car Museum will make your heart leap with joy. Located near the City Palace, this museum showcases a collection of spectacular vintage cars such as Cadillac, Chevrolet and Morris. Other attractions in the city include Bada Mahal, Haldighati, Saheliyon ki Bari and Jaisamand Lake.
Udaipur's cuisine reflects its Rajasthani spirit. The famous dal baati choorma and gatte ki sabzi are definite must haves. Popular eateries here include Chandni, Ambrai, Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel, Lotus Cafe and Mayur Rooftop Cafe. Hotels are easily available in Udaipur, and several retain their old world feel. Read More

Udaipur was called the most romantic spot in India by Colonel James Tod, the East India Company’s first political agent here. And it remains the same today with its old world charm, stunning palaces, bustling bazaars and serene boat rides on Lake Pichola. Towering over this lake is the mighty City Palace, which is an amalgamation of Rajasthani, Mughal and medieval architectures. With its exquisite gardens and ancient white walls, this palace draws travellers from all over. Located right in the middle of Lake Pichola is the Jag Mandir Palace, from where you can see the beautiful sunset reflected in the water.
If you have a thing for automobiles, the Vintage Car Museum will make your heart leap with joy. Located near the City Palace, this museum showcases a collection of spectacular vintage cars such as Cadillac, Chevrolet and Morris. Other attractions in the city include Bada Mahal, Haldighati, Saheliyon ki Bari and Jaisamand Lake.
Udaipur's cuisine reflects its Rajasthani spirit. The famous dal baati choorma and gatte ki sabzi are definite must haves. Popular eateries here include Chandni, Ambrai, Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel, Lotus Cafe and Mayur Rooftop Cafe. Hotels are easily available in Udaipur, and several retain their old world feel.

Day 4, 10-ish am - A new day and we were excited to begin our tour of Rajasthan, notwithstanding the arduous driving throughout the previous days. It was a 3-hour drive to Udaipur, the City of Lakes. The roads were well-maintained and hardly had any traffic (except for the occasional camel cart), so it was a smooth cruise to Udaipur. We even had the luxury of stopping on the way to have an impromptu photo-shoot!

Head to the city of lakes this December to relax, replenish and rejuvenate. Udaipur has a number of palaces and forts that you can see, and with the weather outside being so fabulous, you will easily explore everything without stressing to cover your to-see list. Taste the local Rajasthani cuisine and enjoy shopping at the bazaars inside the interiors of Udaipur. This beautiful city will not fail in charming you and keeps up its mark of one of the best places to visit in India.How to reach Udaipur:You can reach Udaipur by air, rail and road very easily. Udaipur is well connected by road, rail and air.

Oct 9th, 9 am checked out from the hotel and started my onwards journey from Ajmer to Udaipur. The Highway paved got better and better as I kept of riding towards Udaipur. The highway which connects Ahmedabad and Mumbai was a pleasure to ride. On the way I stopped at a place to stretch my back and a passer-by stopped and asked if I was coming all alone and about my protective gears and finally appreciated by shaking hands and congratulated on the success of my journey!! Reached Udaipur in 6 hours time, checked in the hotel I booked through Make my trip and as the closing time was nearing for all tourist attractions, I had to restrict myself only to Sajjangarh Biological park and that was the end of Day 2.

Udaipur :- Udaipur is a rich and very quiet city in Rajasthan. Udaipur is also called the City of lakes. There are a lot of castles ,which have now been converted into hotels so tourists can have an experience of living in a castle. The places to visit in Udaipur are city palace,Jagdish temple, Sajjangarh palace, Bathing Ghat, Jag Mandir, Lake palace and Fateh Sagar lake.The view of all these places is like seeing heaven on earth.

Day 2 August 8,2016:- Ahmedabad – Udaipur –Got up early and started the ride with an expectation that there will be no rain today. But the moment i got down from the hotel it started drizzling, i continued to ride and before entering the rajasthan border i stopped by a hotel to have breakfast. Just few kilometers on the road it started raining so heavily that the visibility dropped to 5 to 10 feet, In midst of that my machine just stalled at a place where there was no humans visible. It had no signs of heart beat in it, found one under construction building, pushed my machine till there, i had only one option, that is to check the fuse, opened the fuse box and found the fuse has melted, luckily i had one extra so i replaced it with the new one and thank GOD my machine started, continued to ride. Within a few kilometer even this fuse melted so i had to direct the wire, while doing so i met a person Mr.Harteij who was a cancer survivor and was on a solo trip across India and he was going to udaipur too. So we decided to ride together till udaipur, the route was so scenic, after covering around another 100KM we met another rider Mr.Harshit who was riding from Gujarat to some place in Rajasthan. So we decided to stop for lunch at a good hotel at the entrance of rajasthan. We parked our machines and sat down for lunch. Then harshit said he had met with an accident earlier in which his leg bones were broken so people suggested to do work from home, but his determination let him to enroll for a hiking course and today he is a professional hiker. After lunch we clicked some photo and he left. I and harteij continued towards udaipur and reached by 4:30pm, he had some room booked in a villa so we decided to share the room. Freshened up and got my machine checked for the fuse problem and got some additional fuse and moved towards udaipur lake palace. So for the next hour we explored the lake palace, got few photos clicked and roamed around those area. Finally we had a good dinner at a hotel nearby and returned to our room,chatted for a while and went for sleep.

Udaipur is quiet, disturbingly quiet when one gets used to the Delhi craziness. The mountains gives the city this amazing plenitude. When you reach there go to the natural park, there after managing a few curves you reach the monsoon palace. Nothing better than to be there on misty and foggy day. The coolness and the clouds covering the plains will make the experience way more intense. The city at night is all light up the city fort overlooking one of the three lakes of the city.

Like their food and art, people of Rajasthan are warm and extremely welcoming. On a chilly winter night of December, lying on my back on the terrace of a hundred year old haveli overlooking the lake Pichola in Udaipur, I’m transported back to my childhood where I sat by my grandfather listening to him weaving fantasy and fairytale and performing effortlessly in front of a kid whose eyes bulged out with excitement and who’s heart pounded with anticipation and wonder and mind riddled with curiosity. People of India will never let me lose touch with the inner me!

Also called Amdavad, this place happened to be the former capital of the state of Gujarat. The third largest of all the cities in the state, it is situated on the banks of the famous Sabarmati River and happens to be the industrial and economic hub of the state. The Ahmedabad Stock Exchange is also the second oldest one in the country and the city second when it comes to cotton production. There are some very famous places like the Sabarmati Ashram and Kankaria Lake that one can visit when in Ahmedabad.Read More

Also called Amdavad, this place happened to be the former capital of the state of Gujarat. The third largest of all the cities in the state, it is situated on the banks of the famous Sabarmati River and happens to be the industrial and economic hub of the state. The Ahmedabad Stock Exchange is also the second oldest one in the country and the city second when it comes to cotton production. There are some very famous places like the Sabarmati Ashram and Kankaria Lake that one can visit when in Ahmedabad.

Day 1 August 7,2016:- Mumbai-Ahmedabad -536KM.My parents came down to see me off. The ride began by 9:30 am and i was so happy that finally after 3 years of wait, watching hundreds of ladakh road trip videos, reading hundreds of blogs, going through thousands of photos on google, i was on a trip to witness all these things by myself. Earlier this year i had done a solo trip, Mumbai-Rann of Kutch-Mumbai , so this route from mumbai to Ahmedabad was a familiar to me. Seeing me riding with all the gears and luggage mounted on my machine and sports cam on my helmet, also i had a name plate at the back of my machine which read “Mumbai – Ladakh – Mumbai. If you found me lost then drop me till ladakh”. Many people used to slow down their car and give a thumbs up, one person lowered the window glass and offered me dairy milk saying kuch meetha ho jaye. Felt good at people’s gestures on road as i got so many thumbs up. After reaching 100KM from home stopped at the same place where i stopped during my Rann of kutch trip. Clicked some photo and continued to ride, i was enjoying the moment . As expected during the whole ride i faced rain many times. By afternoon i stopped by a small dhaba and had my lunch. I was still far from Ahmedabad and wanted to reach there before it gets dark. Finally after covering 536KM reached Ahmedabad by 8:30pm, checked into a decent hotel and informed home that i have reached safely, freshened up had dinner and crashed into bed.

Jaipur to AhmedabadThis is last day of our Road trip for now but not for our journey. Now We have one more wonderful lifetime experience in our mind forever, and plenty more to come in future. So follow on. Things this trip taught me is you should not worry much about your future, have faith in you, people around you. if someone else can do it, then boss you are way better than someone.

Next day after a relaxing day at Udaipur we moved towards Diu. In between we halted at Ahmedabad and visited Sabarmati Ashram. The simple and easy lifestyle of the ashram fascinated me. It will always remain a question mark to me that how did the father of nation even thought of driving the Britishers out without any violence.

Best time to visit - January,February,September,October,November,December

Popular, colourful and culturally rich, Jodhpur is one of Rajasthan's most beautiful cities. It is also known as the Sun City of India and is said to have been built in the 15th century by a Rao Jodha.
This city was earlier known as Marwar and is currently the second largest city of Rajasthan. From the stunning Mehrangarh Fort (from where you can see the stunning blue city), Umaid Bhavan Palace to the bustling Sardar Market, there is tons to do and explore in this touristy city. If you like your holidays to be quiet and laidback, Jodhpur may not be for you – atleast for the first couple of days. There is too much to keep you busy.
Like almost all cities in Rajasthan, there are historical forts and palaces to explore and admire. Do carry a scarf and water for your afternoon expeditions should the heat tire you out. There are also umpteen restaurants and small cafes in Jodhpur which offer you delicious food and are also very welcoming. Jodhpur is also a great place to meet like-minded travellers.
Jodhpur is well connected to all the major cities of the country via rail, road and air. Read More

Popular, colourful and culturally rich, Jodhpur is one of Rajasthan's most beautiful cities. It is also known as the Sun City of India and is said to have been built in the 15th century by a Rao Jodha.
This city was earlier known as Marwar and is currently the second largest city of Rajasthan. From the stunning Mehrangarh Fort (from where you can see the stunning blue city), Umaid Bhavan Palace to the bustling Sardar Market, there is tons to do and explore in this touristy city. If you like your holidays to be quiet and laidback, Jodhpur may not be for you – atleast for the first couple of days. There is too much to keep you busy.
Like almost all cities in Rajasthan, there are historical forts and palaces to explore and admire. Do carry a scarf and water for your afternoon expeditions should the heat tire you out. There are also umpteen restaurants and small cafes in Jodhpur which offer you delicious food and are also very welcoming. Jodhpur is also a great place to meet like-minded travellers.
Jodhpur is well connected to all the major cities of the country via rail, road and air.

We didnot prebook a hotel in Jodhpur as Ratan Vilas was full that day. We came to Jodhpur and found Indana Palace just to stay that night. It was very huge . Room was great . But there was a wedding on that night which we didnt know caused some disturbance. Then all others went to shopping but I was least interested so stayed at hotel.

Paragliding: If you’ve already enjoyed everything a desert safari can offer, it’s time you try the air safari in Jodhpur. It’s a motorised paraglider that brings you an exceptional view of the terrain, a chance to try aerial photography and capture some gram-worthy pictures, and you can cross off another name on the adventure sports bucket-list. For bookings, get in touch with Flyboy Aviation, experts in the sport and winner of the Best Air Adventure by the Indian government. Actors Ranbir Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin, and Randeep Hooda have only good things to say: ‘It’s like flying a chair’ and ‘The closest you get to growing your own wings’. flyboy.inMaharajah’s Pavilion at the Raj Palace: One would think in-room dining is a luxury but wait till you book a stay at one of the poshest suites in the world. To begin with, isn’t quite a suite. Spread over 16,000 square feet, The Pavillion as it is also called, is a four-story apartment with private elevators. You’ll start feeling the enormity of it all from the entrance through Charbagh and victory corridor that leads up to the four bedrooms. The first floor houses a private secretarial area and an extra baggage store leading up to a colossal private lounge and bar.The second floor of the Pavilion overlooks the inner courts of the palaces, and the Charbagh gardens. It comprises a double-height reception room with vaulted apartments intended for private use. It was a sleeping chamber for the Thakur Sahib and its luxurious ornamentation includes Gold-leafed painted walls, detailed with stucco, and mirror work. The furniture is in gold and silver. As if this wasn’t enough, a private passage connects the different pavilions to the private in-room museum that displays the Old Throne and bolsters of Maharaja Thakur Sahib. The third floor comprises a library with restored literary texts, a lavish dining area, and the suite kitchen. Moving on higher, the fourth floor has a private roof top terrace, another library, a spa, a jacuzzi, a study area, a private seating lounge, on-call butler service, and a panoramic view of the city. This Pleasure Pavillion houses rich ivory and gold furniture and two luxurious bathrooms.

That night I rested in a small Choti Khatu restaurant. The next day I cycled for 195km to Jodhpur via Nagaur. That night I rested in Jodhpur in a guest house after a well-deserved hot water bath. Rejuvenated, the next 192 km leg to Pokhran via Osian, Phalodi, and Ramdevra was a breeze. However, the last 104km from Pokhran to Jaisalmer was a little different with plummeting temperatures and an overcast sky. By afternoon, as it became hotter, I had to battle strong headwinds through the desert. The difficult terrain, accompanied by the lack of easy availability of water and food, was tough to navigate, as a rider needs plenty of water to avoid dehydration. However, I had to ward off hunger and thirst for what seemed to be an eternal wait. Battling these demons I finally I reached Jaisalmer at around 2.30 pm.

I love being outdoors.I have always felt that travel is the only thing which always makes us feel alive.This was my first ever journey..A grand adventure was about to begin..We arrived in Jodhpur after a very enjoyable train journey. We found a tuk tuk without muchdifficulty and were greeted by a lovely man who showed us one of the best hotels in jodhpur.Jodhpur is at the heart of Rajasthan and is no less than a majestic jewel adorning an eternal crown.Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. It is sometimes called the "Sun City" for its consistently bright, sunny climate, or the Blue City because of the plethora of vivid blue coloured houses spread around the fort. This Blue colour in addition to giving the city analias, also serves a crucial purpose. In summer, the blue colour keeps the scorching heatoutside from raising the temperature levels within the houses, thereby helping maintainTemperature within manageable limits. The main languages spoken here are Hindi, Marwari and Rajasthani.1)Ghanta ghar ­ a big Clock Tower and Sardar Market: A prime attraction of the city, is the Clock Tower. This is the oldest tower in India. It is a magnificent tower with an old clock. ThisClock is unique. It is from London, manufactured by the same clock company, whomanufactured the clock for the London Clock Tower. This place is a center point for thenearby villagers who come here for shopping. The colourful Sardar Market is also quitepopular among the locals. Narrow alleys lead to quaint bazaars where one can find textiles, antiques, silverware, handicrafts among other things.If you want to discover the Blue City, this is where you might want to start.2)Umaid bhavan palaceOne among the numerous fascinating palaces of Jodhpur is the Umaid Bhavan palace.Maharaja Umaid Singh constructed it in 20th century. The Umaid Bhavan palace wasconverted into a heritage hotel in 1977.A part of this palace even today serves as the residence to the royal family of Jodhpur.The Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum is divided into three functional parts ­ a luxury Taj Palace Hotel, the residence of the owner's royal family, and a Museum focusing on the 20thcentury history of the Jodhpur Royal Family. Located at the top of a hill, the Umaid BhawanPalace museum (ticket for INR 30 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners) is very well maintained, displaying an exclusive range of items belonging to the Maharaja and the royalfamily. It displays a range of items ranging from weapons to an array of stuffed leopards toantiques to some fascinating crockery and an amazing collection of clocks and trophies.Apart from this, one will also visit Royal Jodhpur Shops for small Rajasthani souvenirs.3) MEHRANGARH FORT :The older historic section of the city of Jodhpur is located around the grand Mehrangarh Fortwhich is bounded by a wall and several gates. It is situated on a 150 metre high hill and wasfounded by Rao Jodha in 1459. The weather there was just perfect! The gentle winter sunallowed me to walk around and explore the magnificent fort even at 2 pm. The ticket costsINR 60.The air carried an exotic aura of the beautiful folk songs which were being played bystreet musicians in the backdrop. The fort of Mehrangarh portrays its own architectural features, such as narrow staircases leading to the royal residence, carved panels andornately decorated walls.Yet again the views from the ramparts were amazing ­ you really could see why it is calledthe blue city, all the houses were painted blue! The rooms inside the palace were extremelygrand. Within the fort there is also a museum holding various objects from India's royalhistory, including some of the seats that were used by the Maharajas on top of theirelephants, various Rajput and Mughal weapons and armoury, intricate miniature paintingsand costumes worn by the occupants of the various palaces.I loved the feeling of being anonymous in a city I've never been before.I simply could not get over how warm, welcoming, and accommodating everyone in thiscity is. It took us half an hour to leave the hotel that night because the owner kept talkingand telling us every single thing there is to see and do in Jodhpur. This was end of mybeautiful journey.The graceful palaces, forts and temples strewn throughout the city bring alive the historicgrandeur of this city. Lending a romantic aura to Jodhpur, are its exquisite handicrafts, folkdances, folk music and the brightly attired people.With their sweet smiles and warm hospitality, they win the hearts of the tourists.DONT SETTELE DOWN AND SIT IN ONE PLACE MOVE AROUND BE NOMADIC MAKE EACH DAY A NEW HORIZONpushkar mela is very famous fair of Rajasthan and all over the India. I have Always wanted to experience the rich heritage and culture of our country. pushkar has a magnetism all of its own and is quite unlike anywhere else in Rajasthan. I want to go there Simply because it is one of the largest livestock fair in the world. Pushkar is a foodie’s heaven. This is definitely the chance to savor the rich taste of Rajasthan and get familiar with their cuisine. Last but not the least, want to hike till the Savitri temple and Tilla nearby to get a wonderful view of the whole fair. also sun setting which is just mesmerizing! Moreover, Pushkar Mela is, in the end, a religious event where people from all across India come to take a dip in the waters of Lake Pushkar to redeem themselves. Pushkar will always be on top in my bucket list.

Located approximately in the centre of Rajasthan, Jodhpur is frequented by many foreign tourists and is a preferred location amongst them. The beauty of this amazing city is rustic as well as regal at the same time. Such opulence and magnificence may be akin to the entire Rajasthan but the royalty of Jodhpur will only fill you with awe and admiration.The Mehrangarh Fort.I have not seen so much opulence in one place. This towering fort perched atop a hill is a spectacle to watch from the city as well as perfect to catch a glimpse of the blue walled city down below. The fort possesses an imposing beauty that can leave you baffled. Within the high walls of the fort are a series of museums that display the plethora of royal artifacts and commodities that were once used by the royal families who resided here.

This happened about three years back in December. My parents and I had gone to celebrate my birthday as well as the new year in Jodhpur. Since we had come here for the first time (and I was with family :D), we did the normal tourist routine- took a cab and saw all the famous places and palaces and got our pics clicked- the typical sightseers.Now, December is apparently the grand polo season in Jodhpur. None of us had ever attended a polo match before that. My dad got wind of this exhibition match that was going to take place while we were there, and was also open to the general public (polo matches generally are a private and posh affair). So, excited, he directed our cab driver of the day to take us there after lunch.

Another shade of Rajasthan, distinctively painted through the cityscape in a brilliant hue, Jodhpur is a joy to behold. Descend into the blue maze and discover the life lurking within the brilliant labyrinth.

Then, we headed to Jodhpur. A 4 hr journey from Jaisalmer, with good roads and a lot of goats coming in the mid of the way, we reached Jodhpur. We visited the fort first, the Meherangarh Fort. The fort is not at all small. Its huge, its steep, its giant. Amazing thing is it has a chargeable lift too. Meherangarh has lots and lots of royal acquisitions in the museum. It took about an hr and a half for the fort to complete. Then ofcourse we had the sunset time. The city is known as the "Sun City" for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all the year round. It is also referred to as the "Blue City" due to the vivid blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort.
Then we headed to Kalinga hotel, best budget hotel in Jodhpur. Okay, the truth is the google map showed the narrow lane road wherein we were moving only Bhagwan Bharose. The local people were looking as we were terrorists, but finally when we completed the lane, it was a relief as if we thought this was never ending and we wont be able to even reverse the car.The next day, after the awesome breakfast we went to the Umaid Bhavan Palace. The Palace was built, between 1928 and 1943, for H.H. Maharaja Umaid Singh ji, Grand Father of our present Maharaja, who had benevolently commissioned a new palace in 1923 to replace Mehrangarh Fort as the symbol of a new Jodhpur and to give employment to the people of Marwar during the period's great droughts and famines.The view of the palace itself puts you in a WOWW situation. There is a small museum inside it wherein the best segment was of the royal crockery and royal clocks.

Mount Abu is the only hill station in the deserts of Rajasthan. Among forts and palaces, this quiet hill station is quite popular with local tourists as well as visitors from across the country.
A place of great religious reverence to the Jain community, the Dilwara Jain Temple is a set of five temples, all belonging to a different century. The temples are carved out of white marble and depict scenes of Gods and Goddesses and are a must visit for their architectural brilliance.
You can also spend a day at Nakki Lake. Lying in the hills, this lovely lake offers boating opportunities to visitors. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is another wonderful way to spend your time on this hill station and can take up your entire day, so do keep yourself free. For trekkers and adventure enthusiasts, the Guru Shikhar is the highest peak in the region and trekking here is a memorable and adventurous experience, though if you aren't an experienced trekker, you may need a little help!
There are numerous hotels and guesthouses here, though depending on the type of traveller you are, it might be a good idea to do a little bit of research before settling on a place to stay.Read More

Mount Abu is the only hill station in the deserts of Rajasthan. Among forts and palaces, this quiet hill station is quite popular with local tourists as well as visitors from across the country.
A place of great religious reverence to the Jain community, the Dilwara Jain Temple is a set of five temples, all belonging to a different century. The temples are carved out of white marble and depict scenes of Gods and Goddesses and are a must visit for their architectural brilliance.
You can also spend a day at Nakki Lake. Lying in the hills, this lovely lake offers boating opportunities to visitors. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is another wonderful way to spend your time on this hill station and can take up your entire day, so do keep yourself free. For trekkers and adventure enthusiasts, the Guru Shikhar is the highest peak in the region and trekking here is a memorable and adventurous experience, though if you aren't an experienced trekker, you may need a little help!
There are numerous hotels and guesthouses here, though depending on the type of traveller you are, it might be a good idea to do a little bit of research before settling on a place to stay.

Day 3, 7 pm - The sun had already set by the time we reached Mount Abu, so the road to the summit had closed. There was little else to do other than to enjoy a nice dinner at a restaurant and later check-in to our hotel. The accommodation was scrappy, but we stayed there anyway.

Located at an elevation of 1220m, Mount Abu is the only hill station of Rajasthan. Due to its pleasant weather it has been the popular retreat of the people of Rajasthan, Gujarat and other parts of the country.

Mount Abu :- Mount Abu is a place where one can find peace, with lots of greenery and cold winds as it is a hill station. Mt.Abu is at 1219 meters above sea level. You can find a lot of temples at Mt.Abu, its actually a place to rest and enjoy the weather but if you want to roam around you can visit Achalgarh fort in Mount Abu and also Nakki lake and there is a toad rock on a hill near the lake which is worth visiting

Whenever I heard about Mount Abu, what came to my mind was one of those traditional Hill station. Indeed the beautiful mountains, picturesque spots including Guru Shikar, Nakki Lake, Achalgarh fort and you just can't miss "The sunset point".

3. Mount Abu -Just 5 hours away is Rajasthan’s only and popular hill station offering a pleasant retreat from the heat. Rolling hills dotted with several hindu temples and set amidst flowing rivers and lakes, cascading waterfalls and evergreen forests is enough to take your breath away. If you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway from Ahmedabad, Amount Abu is the place to be. Situated at an altitude of around 4000 ft and surrounded by the beautiful Nakki Lake, Mount Abu should definitely feature on the list of best places to visit near Ahmedabad. Since it is Rajasthan’s lone hill station, it definitely has a lot to offer. If you want to get away from the sweltering heat of the city, a weekend trip to Mount Abu should be high on your list. This favourite tourist hotspot has a number of famous landmarks like Sunset Point to keep you enthralled, and relaxed. This is the only hill station of Raasthan and it takes about 5 hours to reach Mount Abu from Gujarat.The main attractions here are the pleasant climatic conditions, the scenic beauty and the lakes. You can also shop for traditional Rajasthani handicrafts out here. The other popular attractions here are the Dilwara group of temples, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Peace Park and the Nakki Lake. Mount Abu is a renowned hill station that offers you and the family the chance to escape from the city. The hill station is known for its natural beauty, green hills, serene lakes, beautiful temples and other religious places of worship. The Jain community consider it an important pilgrimage site. It might be cold here but who minds a little winter chill? Tripoto recommends you visit some of the well-known places here like Nakki Lake, the Sunset Point and Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, among a host of other places. If you are a history buff, pay a visit to Dilwara Jain Temples, the Adhar Devi Temple, and Achalgarh Fort. Mount Abu features on most people’s list of best weekend getaways from Ahmedabad. If the hills are your haven, Mount Abu in nearby Rajasthan is where you should be. Hills dotted with Hindu temples and surrounded by evergreen forests, cascading waterfalls and gushing rivers and lakes is what makes Mount Abu one of the prime weekend getaways from Ahmedabad.

25. The welcome retreat of Mount AbuRajasthan’s only hill station is also one of the top 10 beautiful hill stations in India. It lies snug within the confines of the Aravalli range and is a welcome retreat from the sweltering heat of the desert.

Though it would have taken time to reach Abu being on a steep path, but thanks to the running we reached very soon! Now with very little cash, enought to pay the guide and return back to pawapuri via bus this time, we decided to walk to abu market. We were sooo exhausted. That guide knew the shop keepers in Mount Abu. He told all of them our story. Everyone was so shocked! They were like “How can girls come from this route?” They scolded the guide for bringing us through that way.The people were so kind that when we told them we just have enough cash to take a bus to pawapuri, they gave us food to eat and drink for free and dropped us till the bus stop:)We returned back finally and requested the booking uncle to give us a better room this time in minimal amount to which he agreed. He offered to take us to his home but we denied! Not to trust anyone so easily again????Next day we did some time pass there, packed and left again for Jodhpur, but did not feel like going back at all. So we visited 3-4 more places enroute???? After withdrawing the cash from Sirohi ATM ofcourse!That day and this, all memories still fresh. Now we just laugh while telling others what happened but that moment up there..I had never been so scared in my entire life before and after! Though things have changed now. Been to Pawapuri many times after that but did not bother to find out about that route!????Wish to go on more such trips with you bestie:) Love you:)

It is a true bliss to be in a hill station like Mt.Abu as it has a very compelling weather as against the rest of Rajasthan. It is an ideal place for relaxation and getting lost in the beauty of the Aravalli ranges!

Best time to visit - January,February,September,October,November,December

Popularly known as Baroda, Vadodara is great travel destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts. The town is known for the grand Laxmi Vilas Palace and the Fatehsingh Museum (both located in the same premises). Do keep aside an entire day if you are fond or art and culture since the palace is huge and deserves that kind of time.
You can also visit Sayaji Baug, a lush, refreshing garden in the middle of the city. It is the perfect place to visit if you are travelling with children since it has a small kid's zone, a cafeteria, a small museum and a zoo. If you are in the city for more than a day, do visit Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum since it houses numerous rare and beautiful paintings, sculptures and murals from all over the world, collected by the royal family.
Vadodara may not be a traveller's perfect destination, but it does have its fair share of history, culture and art. Read More

Popularly known as Baroda, Vadodara is great travel destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts. The town is known for the grand Laxmi Vilas Palace and the Fatehsingh Museum (both located in the same premises). Do keep aside an entire day if you are fond or art and culture since the palace is huge and deserves that kind of time.
You can also visit Sayaji Baug, a lush, refreshing garden in the middle of the city. It is the perfect place to visit if you are travelling with children since it has a small kid's zone, a cafeteria, a small museum and a zoo. If you are in the city for more than a day, do visit Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum since it houses numerous rare and beautiful paintings, sculptures and murals from all over the world, collected by the royal family.
Vadodara may not be a traveller's perfect destination, but it does have its fair share of history, culture and art.

Now it was time for us to head back to Mumbai. We started riding back and at Bhuj we got our bike serviced and by night we could reach Vadodara.Next day we again started early with a motive to reach Mumbai by night. We could reach Daman by evening and again it being a union territory we had some good beers to charge ourselves for the one final time for the trip.

Early morning, the next day we were headed back to Mumbai which is nearly 800 Kms away. We did a stop-over at Vadodara, for the night, where we enjoyed the street food, before proceeding to Mumbai. Having visited both the Legends, at Dandi, and the Lions, at Gir, we brought our road trip through Saurashtra to a successful end.

15. Vadodara -A little under than 2 hours from Ahmedabad is the teeming city of Vadodara which offers a refreshing change of scenery. Palaces, historical monuments, museums and beautiful gardens are the city’s pride. A road trip is the perfect way to set about this journey when the weekend comes calling.

On day 9 morning made visit to City Palace and Monsoon Palace and then started my return journey to Pune through Vadodara. Reached Vadodara by 09:30 PM and settled in a hotel near the city. On day 10 started my ride towards Pune from Vadodara and reached Pune at 09:30 PM.

Vadodara, the city of palaces !! <br />Laxmi vilas palace and kirti mandir are the attraction for travelers. <br />As well as famous Sur Sagar lake. <br />Sayaji baug, kamati baug are the famous gardens belong to our great King Maharaja Sayaji Rav . <br />One of the largest garden in Gujarat after the name of King. <br />The facilities, food, and the museum are the most pleasant thing in this city while back packing in Vadodara. <br />The "khau galli" is most famous eat street of Gujarat for the foodies.

Examples of Rajput architecture and a prominent pearl fishing centre distinguish Gujarat’s lesser known gem, Jamnagar, from other cities. The age-old decaying buildings, narrow lanes and colourful bazaars make up for the lost charm inflicted by tall buildings and the brimming crowd.
The scenic Lakhota Fort stands in the middle of the lake and is a fort like palace that now houses a museum of old collectables. It looks beautiful at sundown when the lake glitters in the yellow light that reflects from the monument. The Darbargadh Fort, constructed with a mix of European and Rajput architectural styles, is mesmerising to explore. Other must visits here are the Pratap Vilas Palace and Bhujio Kotho, a five-floor monument believed to be constructed for protection during invasions. There are also many Jain temples around the Chandi Bazaar that grant the place an old world charm. With a coastline that stretches till Dwarka, Jamnagar also offers some unspoilt beaches with white and golden sand.
Shopping in Jamnagar is a treat and you must not forget to buy the world famous, multi-hued Bandhani fabric, which can be used as a dupatta or dress or even a sari. Taste the Gujarati delicacies of ghughra and dry fruit kachoris and consider the Express Residency or J R Avezika for a comfortable stay in the city.Read More

Examples of Rajput architecture and a prominent pearl fishing centre distinguish Gujarat’s lesser known gem, Jamnagar, from other cities. The age-old decaying buildings, narrow lanes and colourful bazaars make up for the lost charm inflicted by tall buildings and the brimming crowd.
The scenic Lakhota Fort stands in the middle of the lake and is a fort like palace that now houses a museum of old collectables. It looks beautiful at sundown when the lake glitters in the yellow light that reflects from the monument. The Darbargadh Fort, constructed with a mix of European and Rajput architectural styles, is mesmerising to explore. Other must visits here are the Pratap Vilas Palace and Bhujio Kotho, a five-floor monument believed to be constructed for protection during invasions. There are also many Jain temples around the Chandi Bazaar that grant the place an old world charm. With a coastline that stretches till Dwarka, Jamnagar also offers some unspoilt beaches with white and golden sand.
Shopping in Jamnagar is a treat and you must not forget to buy the world famous, multi-hued Bandhani fabric, which can be used as a dupatta or dress or even a sari. Taste the Gujarati delicacies of ghughra and dry fruit kachoris and consider the Express Residency or J R Avezika for a comfortable stay in the city.

Jamnagar - Venice of Gujarat
Still having old architectural marvels...
Presently come up due to reliance and essar
Places to visit
lakhota lake
lakhota lake museum
main palace
Bedi port - famous for corels
Kachori - famous eatry
Having dominos , subway only
Mc Donalds, pizza hut n much more yet to come....

One of the most visited cities in Gujarat, Bhuj is home to a number of historical monuments, a lively culture and a historically rich past. Taking you back to a time of simple living, Bhuj is a traveller's delight.
From the enlightening Kutch Museum to the bedazzling Aina Mahal, this small city welcomes travellers with forgotten stories, intriguing escapades and numerous hidden corners. There are a number of popular temples here including the Shree Swaminayan Temple; the Swaminayan temples were actually first built in Bhuj. Enveloped in white, the temple is a must visit even if religious sites are not a part of your itinerary.
You should also visit one of the oldest museums in Gujarat, which is the Kutch museum. Taking you through Gujarat's exciting past, the museum is also home to Kshatrapa inscriptions and the now extinct Kutchi script. The museum is located along the beautiful Hamirsar Lake and is a must-visit.
Do also head to Aina Museum. One of the best examples of Indian architecture under the influence of European architecture, this one is fascinating to visit. True to its name, the best feature of the mahal is the Hall of Mirrors. The palace also houses a number of rare and stunning artefacts and paintings from around the world and is a treat to explore, especially if you are an art enthusiast. This small city packs in a lot for travellers and a couple of days here is enough to take back a beautiful experience unless, of course, you fall in love with the city's magic.
Reaching Bhuj from Ahmedabad is quite easy since it's a major town and buses, taxis ply almost throughout the day. Read More

One of the most visited cities in Gujarat, Bhuj is home to a number of historical monuments, a lively culture and a historically rich past. Taking you back to a time of simple living, Bhuj is a traveller's delight.
From the enlightening Kutch Museum to the bedazzling Aina Mahal, this small city welcomes travellers with forgotten stories, intriguing escapades and numerous hidden corners. There are a number of popular temples here including the Shree Swaminayan Temple; the Swaminayan temples were actually first built in Bhuj. Enveloped in white, the temple is a must visit even if religious sites are not a part of your itinerary.
You should also visit one of the oldest museums in Gujarat, which is the Kutch museum. Taking you through Gujarat's exciting past, the museum is also home to Kshatrapa inscriptions and the now extinct Kutchi script. The museum is located along the beautiful Hamirsar Lake and is a must-visit.
Do also head to Aina Museum. One of the best examples of Indian architecture under the influence of European architecture, this one is fascinating to visit. True to its name, the best feature of the mahal is the Hall of Mirrors. The palace also houses a number of rare and stunning artefacts and paintings from around the world and is a treat to explore, especially if you are an art enthusiast. This small city packs in a lot for travellers and a couple of days here is enough to take back a beautiful experience unless, of course, you fall in love with the city's magic.
Reaching Bhuj from Ahmedabad is quite easy since it's a major town and buses, taxis ply almost throughout the day.

So one of the first things on entering Bhuj was this!! And it actually made me give a 32 tooth smile ( I don’t think I have 32 teeth yet and I am too bored to count!!) to a signboard making the autowala bhaiya judge me.

Travel back to BhujBhuj proves as a centre point to explore the western end of Gujarat. If you have an extended itinerary, Bhuj is just the right spot to make detours. At the end of your trip, travel back to Ahmedabad, which is a convenient spot to take flights and transport to other major cities in India.

10. Bhuj -For a weekend of historical exploration, a visit to Bhuj is essential. The city has a long and well-known history of being ruled by kings. There are quite a few places of historical significance as a result. It will expose you to several milestones in South Asian history through its architecture. One can also visit some of the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization as well as places which have a relation with the Mahabharata and Alexander the Great's entry into India. About 6 hours from Ahmedabad, this is a historic city and a perfect place to explore real Guarat.The alleys with the typical houses and buildings are the best attractions. These have traditional Gujarati styles of architecture and designs on them which tell you a lot about their building styles and how it has evolved from the earlier days. This is no doubt one of the best weekend getaways from Ahmedabad. The whole town is built around the Bhuiyo Dungar Hill from where it derives the name. The other attractions here are the Aina Mahal, The Kutch Museum, which is known to be the oldest here and the bell tower in the Prag Mahal.

Bhuj has various guest house and hotels ranging from cheap to costly rooms.
There are some palaces to visit in Bhuj itself, Aaina mahal and prag mahal. These are situated inside city of Bhuj and you can visit these from inside with minimal charges of around 20 rs. These mahal shows very nicely carved stonework.

Day 5: Bhuj - Vigakot (GRK) - Kanthwandh - Kala Dungar - Dhordo - Bhuj
Dejected, we headed back to Khavda. It was already 3 pm, and to optimize we decided to head towards Bhiyandiyara to get the permit for Dhordo to attend the Rann Utsav later that evening, and then catch the sunset at Kala Dungar, meet the sweetend-rice-eating-jackals there, and then finally head towards Dhordo for a cultural evening at the Rann Utsav. The permit at Bhiyandiyara took no time at all, and we were able to make it to Kala Dungar by 4 pm. Enroute we were introduced to another magnetic hill, a sibling of the one up North. Here again the optical illusion almost convinced us of the magnetic effect of a hill nearby, but a simple experiment of flowing water brought us back to the logical explanation of an optical illusion. On reaching Kala Dungar and treading up to the view point from where the Rann can apparently be seen in all its glory, we were in for a big disappointment again. A thick haze had settled around the hills, and the Rann was not visible at all. To add to the bad news, rumours were that the jackals had cancelled their sweetened-rice-eating-appointment for the evening after a heavy brunch earlier in the day. The saving grace was the purchase of a beautiful (and very reasonable priced) typical Gujarati wall hanging from the souvenir shop there which welcomes guests in our drawing room these days.
Having chucked our plan of waiting for the jackals, we headed to Dhordo next to check out the much hyped Rann Utsav. We launched into a rally-driving-mode to catch sunset over the white desert near Dhordo, only to miss it by 5 odd minutes eventually. However, we were soon absorbed in the carnival-like atmosphere of the Rann Utsav. A whole city had been erected for the Utsav, and it boasted of tented accommodation for about a 1000 people, huge pavilions for displaying the history and culture of Kachchh and Gujarat, and a fair to exhibit the local art and crafts. Leave it to the Gujjus to sell, and they do a fantastic job of it, whether it be oil, pickles or tourism. After a short stroll in the exhibition tents, we bought some souvenirs at the fair, and then settled for a dinner of spicy, expensive vegetarian Gujarati buffet.

Day 3: Zainabad - Through the Little Rann of Kachchh - Adesar - Bhuj (275km)
After 2 hours of entering the Rann, we finally saw a salt farm in the distance. Is this it, we asked ourselves. Varnu Wandh also seemed to be at a distance of 10 km or so from that position. As we approached the salt farm, we saw another set of tyre tracks leading to it. This was highly encouraging, but before we could celebrate our success of crossing the Rann, we saw a huge group of Khurs staring at us. It was wild ass safari time, and without giving another thought to our exit from the Rann, we left the tyre tracks and drove towards the group of Khurs. The ground was much more marshier here and scarier, but the adrenaline rush of capturing them on camera gave us the required high of taking the risk. We succeeded in getting quite close to them, all the while exclaiming at how similar they looked to Kiangs. After shooting them to our satisfaction, we returned towards our destination, Varnu Wandh.
The adrenaline rush, and the excitement of sighting so many Khurs, made us lose our minds and instead of looking for the tyre tracks we were following, we headed straight towards the buildings we could see in the distance. Soon we crossed a lake to our right, carefully navigated away from it and towards what seemed like a village.
We did not study the ground properly, and even if we had there was no way to tell that it was SUPER marshy. Splut, split, splat! We were royally stuck with all tyres sunk in the marshy field. We were already in 4H mode, but the car was not budging. I did not try any further and stopped the car and got out to study the extent of the damage. Mud was clinging to all the four tyres but there was still a possibility of getting traction from the edges of the tyres. The car had sunk quite a bit, and climbing back again seemed like getting into a Honda City rather than a Tata Safari. I decided to give it one more shot in the 4L mode before I took the spade out to clear the mud off the wheels to get more traction. I put on the reverse gear and the car budged just a little. I then immediately shifted to forward gear, it rocked forward, and a final quick shift to the reverse gear made the car rock backward and out of the rut! Thank God! We were out of it and on solid ground now, but I then spent the next 20 minutes scraping the mud off all the tyres with the spade we keep handy, as Aarti took photographs.
Once the mud was scraped off enough to give the tyres traction, we moved on, and retraced our steps to find the tyre tracks, which we eventually did after 15 minutes of looking around. They led us to a salt farm, and we knew we'd made it! Soon we left the Rann behind, and found a tarred road, with a signboard which said that Adesar, the village on the highway, was 10 km away. We couldn't stop smiling as the thrill of having crossed the Rann had complteley overwhelmed us! What an adventure it was!
We headed for Bhuj and reached by about 2:30 pm or so. We checked into Hotel KBN that we'd booked from Delhi, and after an initial scare from the outer looks of the hotel, we were glad to see that the inside was nice and clean, and the room especially was clean, bright and comfortable. After a quick lunch and a nice refreshing shower, we hit the roads of Bhuj to look for the BSF headquarters to arrange for our permit. We had the most difficult time locating it, as everyone kept pointing us in the direction of the BSF base rather than the headquarters. For the record, the BSF headquarter is located on Kodaki road near the Hamisar lake in the north-western part of the city, while the BSF base is in the southern part of the city.
We finally managed to reach the sector headquarters by about 5:15 pm, a little too late to get the permit the same day, but applied for it nevertheless so that we could pick it up the next day. The permit was to visit the border post in the Greater Rann called Vigakot. Normally, Indian tourists are not required to take permits to visit the general destinations of the region and are allowed upto 'India Bridge' and 'Kala Dungar' without them. However, to go past 'India Bridge', one needs a permit from the BSF guys. As is the normal procedure, it requires an application, all details of individuals (including the driver) and the car being used to go the border post, a copy of IDs of all the individuals, and the RC of the car. We were told to pick it up the same time next evening.
It had somehow been a tiring day, and we returned back to our hotel early. The plan for the next day was to get up early and head towards Lakhpat and Koteshwar so that we could be back in Bhuj by 4 pm to pick up our permit.

Best time to visit - January,February,March,September,October,November,December

Chittorgarh, the erstwhile capital of Mewar under the Rajputs, is an extremely popular tourist destination for history buffs, photographers and those who enjoy a peek into history.
The most famous tourist spot here is the grand Chittorgarh fort. Situated on a hill, the fort is also fondly known as the Water Fort. The fort encompasses water bodies, towers, temples and palaces and is considered to be one of the strongest forts in India. Keep aside at least half a day to explore this lovely architectural site lest you miss out on one of Rajasthan's most treasured spots.
If you are in Chittorgarh around the festival of Jauhar Mela, you will witness the enthusiasm and excitement of the local people and will also get a sneak peek into the simple way of life here.
Do also visit Gaumukh Reservoir, Meera Temple and the popular Jain temples. For those who are particular about where they stay during their holidays, Chittorgarh has tons of fantastic choices including guesthouses and luxurious hotels.Read More

Chittorgarh, the erstwhile capital of Mewar under the Rajputs, is an extremely popular tourist destination for history buffs, photographers and those who enjoy a peek into history.
The most famous tourist spot here is the grand Chittorgarh fort. Situated on a hill, the fort is also fondly known as the Water Fort. The fort encompasses water bodies, towers, temples and palaces and is considered to be one of the strongest forts in India. Keep aside at least half a day to explore this lovely architectural site lest you miss out on one of Rajasthan's most treasured spots.
If you are in Chittorgarh around the festival of Jauhar Mela, you will witness the enthusiasm and excitement of the local people and will also get a sneak peek into the simple way of life here.
Do also visit Gaumukh Reservoir, Meera Temple and the popular Jain temples. For those who are particular about where they stay during their holidays, Chittorgarh has tons of fantastic choices including guesthouses and luxurious hotels.

Finally at dusk we started for Chittorgarh and after around 100 km took a halt for some good food at a dhaba and after that rode again and we were able to complete the ride in one piece and still managed to find a cheap guesthouse for a healthy and sound sleep.

We visited the Chitttorgarh fort in the morning and meanwhile got our bikes checked and done with some minor repairing. The story of how the Rajputs fought bravely and jauhar committed by ladies and children throws a light about the importance of pride and fearless life. The sacrifice given by them can never go unnoticed.

ChittorgarhThe very essence due to which the princely state of Rajasthan has been in talks is due to the valiance of the king Maharana Pratap. It is the birth place of this great king who had not only ruled the place but also the hearts of the courtiers of his palace.The Fort of Chittorgarh is the place of birth of King Maharana Pratap. His ancestors reigned the place up to many generations. The fort has been structured in such a manner that there was a separate place of living, place of worship, royal bath and a lot more. The highlights of the fort remains the Vijay Stambh till date.

Then we left for Chittorgarh.
Yes, google maps again sent us to a short cut wherein my car went into the gutter lines. We reached Rnb 1589.
Next day we went for the Chittod Fort, India’s no.1 fort.
Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. It is a World Heritage Site. The fort, popularly known as Chittor, was the capital of Mewar and is today situated in Chittorgarh. It was initially ruled by Guhilot and later by Sisodias, the Suryavanshi clans of Chattari Rajputs, from the 7th century, until it was finally abandoned in 1568 after the siege by Emperor Akbar in 1567. The fort was sacked three times between the 15th and 16th centuries; in 1303 Allauddin Khilji defeated Rana Ratan Singh, in 1535 Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat defeated Bikramjeet Singh and in 1567 Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II who left the fort and founded Udaipur. Each time the men fought bravely rushing out of the fort walls charging the enemy but lost every time. Following these defeats, Jauhar was committed thrice by more than 13,000 ladies and children of the Rajput heroes who laid their lives in battles at Chittorgarh Fort, first led by Rani Padmini wife of Rana Rattan Singh who was killed in the battle in 1303, and later by Rani Karnavati in 1537 AD
Padmini's Palace or Rani Padmini's Palace is a white building and a three storied structure (a 19th-century reconstruction of the original). It is located in the southern part of the fort. Chhatris (pavilions) crown the palace roofs and a water moat surrounds the palace. This style of palace became the forerunner of other palaces built in the state with the concept of Jal Mahal (palace surrounded by water). It is at this Palace where Alauddin was permitted to glimpse the mirror image of Rani Padmini, wife of Maharana Rattan Singh. It is widely believed that this glimpse of Padmini's beauty besotted him and convinced him to destroy Chittor in order to possess her.
Then back to Ahmedabad.

The historic capital of the Mewar rulers, it is one of the largest forts that you can find in India. While you walk past the fort and its remains, you will read about the chivalrous deeds of the Mewar rulers and experience the battles from that time rekindle your imagination.

This is another stretch of NH 76 which connects Rajasthan to MP and UP via Kota, Shivpuri , and Jhansi. Udaipur to Chittorgarh is approx 120 Km and can be reached in less than 2 hours. The road is well maintained and in good condition. There are some good spots for break and photography in this stretch as well, as Aravalli extends to the outskirts of Udaipur. Chittorgarh has a very rich history from Rajputana dynasty. The fort is the largest in India and holds a very special place in hearts of Rajputs. The warrior King of Mewar, Maharana Pratap took an oath to spend his life living in the jungles and fighting until he could realize his dream of reconquering Chittorgarh from Akbar (and thus reclaiming the glory of Mewar). It has also been a land of worship for Meera. And don't forget to stop at SHARMA's restaurant on the way to have scrumptious desi ghee Dal Baati and Churma.